Stacey:)The Colonization of Sierra LeoneThesis: The colonization of Sierra Leone not only destroyed an ancient culture, but also defeated Great Britain's original purpose of creating a land where ex-slaves could at last be free.The Beginning
Portuguese navigators were the first to reach Sierra Leone in 1460.
They named Sierra Leone (Serra Lyoa).
By the 1500s, European traders stopped on the coast of Sierra Leone regularly, where the Temne lived.
The Europeans traded cloth and metal goods for ivory, timber, and small numbers of slaves.
The coast of Sierra Leone
Freetown
After the American Revolutionary War, Great Britain freed slaves who sided with them against the American colonies, and brought them back to Africa
In 1787, About 400 freed slaves were brought to the Sierra Leone Peninsula.
Sierra Leone Peninsula
Land bought from Temne leaders.
The Providence of Freedom was established.
Most died of disease within the first year.
Freetown was founded.
In 1792, about 1,100 more freed slaves were brought to Sierra Leone.
About 500 free blacks from Jamaica joined them in 1800.
In 1807 British government took over the settlement as a navel base against slave trade.
Between 1807 and 1861, the British Navy brought in more than 50,000 'liberated Africans.'
They held court in Freetown for 'slave ship cases.'
The newly freed slaves were a variation of cultures, having been taken from all over Africa.
The British used their vulnerability to convert them all to Christianity, to kindly help them form a community.
In 1827, Fourah Bay College was founded, where Africans were to be educated.
Creoles or Krios
Freedmen and their descendants.
The Creoles/Krios prospered.
Many became educated professionals (to European standards), such as doctors and lawyers.
Colony and Protectorate
The colonial government became friends with surrounding tribes.
Able to buy more land and gain control over the entire coast.
In 1896, Britain proclaimed their newly acquired land a British Protectorate.
French and Liberian governments were nearby and also wanted the timber, vegetable oil, and peanuts Britain was harvesting.
Within the Protectorate, Chiefs could continue to rule their tribes, but under the supervision of British District Commissioners.
Innovation and education was discouraged within tribes.
A hut tax was made up to pay for the new protectorate administration.
The ruling chief had not approved of the protectorate, so the tribes objected.
In 1898, a revolt broke out against Britain.
Britain suppressed the revolt by the end of the year with their superior weaponry.
Creoles
The Creoles had held official positions of power in the original colony and hoped to one day govern themselves.
Creoles were slowly removed from their places in power so that British officials could head the colony and protectorate.
Decolonization Begins
Britain decided to Decolonize Sierra Leone after the war mainly because of the pressure from other countries to do so after WWII.
The idea that there was no superior race was strong, considering that Hitler's idea of superior race was now viewed by the rest of the world as cruel and destructive.
Britain's decolonization process gave control to the majority (Mende and Temne).
- Portuguese navigators were the first to reach Sierra Leone in 1460.
- They named Sierra Leone (Serra Lyoa).
- By the 1500s, European traders stopped on the coast of Sierra Leone regularly, where the Temne lived.
- The Europeans traded cloth and metal goods for ivory, timber, and small numbers of slaves.
Freetown
Creoles or Krios
Colony and Protectorate
- The colonial government became friends with surrounding tribes.
- Able to buy more land and gain control over the entire coast.
- In 1896, Britain proclaimed their newly acquired land a British Protectorate.
- French and Liberian governments were nearby and also wanted the timber, vegetable oil, and peanuts Britain was harvesting.
- Within the Protectorate, Chiefs could continue to rule their tribes, but under the supervision of British District Commissioners.
- Innovation and education was discouraged within tribes.
- A hut tax was made up to pay for the new protectorate administration.
- The ruling chief had not approved of the protectorate, so the tribes objected.
- In 1898, a revolt broke out against Britain.
- Britain suppressed the revolt by the end of the year with their superior weaponry.
CreolesDecolonization Begins
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